BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) can be a valuable tool for decision making in primary care. Very few studies have illustrated the utilization of CRP POCT. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a systematic review on the use of CRP POCT in primary care settings and to examine its feasibility and acceptability in an outpatient primary care setting. METHODS: The search was conducted via PubMed. Final articles in the systematic review met inclusion and exclusion criteria. For the feasibility and acceptability analysis, a convenience sample of 20 adult subjects was enrolled and CRP POCT was conducted. RESULTS: Antibiotic prescription was the most predominant outcome assessed, and antibiotic prescription reduction was the most common finding of CRP POCT effectiveness testing. CONCLUSION: CRP POCT can be used to detect inflammation and can reduce antibiotic prescription in primary care. It is a satisfactory procedure that should be available in the primary care setting.

-Obtain physician, subject matter and end user feedback on the protocol content and implementation feasibility -Develop a training guide for physicians and educational materials for miners -Pilot test the surveillance protocol among a small group of artisan miners Method The Minamata Conference on Mercury highlighted the importance of surveillance protocols in identifying, treating and preventing mercury exposure among miners. As such, we will use materials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Labour Organisation (ILO) to develop the protocol. We will collaborate with physicians, occupational health and small-scale mining experts to identify key content and obtain feedback regarding each section of the protocol. Once we have a finalised protocol, we will pilot test the protocol among a small group of artisan miners and incorporate lessons learned into the final product. Results We will develop a surveillance protocol that will capture prevalence, occurrence, treatment and preventive efforts related to mercury exposure. The initial pilot testing will provide valuable feedback regarding the ease of use, content comprehension, effective treatment and preventive efforts associated with mercury exposure. Conclusions Treating, preventing and reducing mercury exposure is a priority of the mining industry. In order to effectively reduce and eliminate mercury exposure it is important to develop an effective surveillance protocol tailored to artisan and small-scale miners. Objectives To estimate the prevalence of leucopenia among industrial workers 2000-2009. Methods The study population comprises workers from manufacturing industries of the Bahia State, Brazil, who had annual compulsory medical checkups in a national not-for-profit occupational safety and health care system during the study period. We retrieved computerised medical records, clinical and laboratory exams, and also workplace risk assessment, occupational and socio-demographic data. Leucopenia was defined as having leucocytes counting less than 4000.Results From a total of 64 454 workers with valid blood counting data, 12 303 (19.09%) had leucopenia over the study time. Prevalence of leucopenia was 21.87% in 2005, 20.73% in 2006 showing a declining trend until 2009 when reached 15.89% (p < 0.001). Leucopenia was higher among male workers than women (p < 0.001) and in the rubber and plastic industry.Conclusions Blood cell counting is compusory monitored in industry, by data are rarely analysed and results made public. Preliminary results of our analysis show that there is a declining trend of leucopenia prevalence suggesting a possible positive impact of the Benzene National Agreement on workers' health in the rubber and plastic industry in Bahia.

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